Intelligent NBA commentary from the two biggest basketball fans on the planet.

February 20, 2012

Jim Buss Downgrades the Lakers from Contender to Tough Out

By Craig Kwasniewski

Most Lakers fans feel Jim Buss is a semi-functioning simpleton. We all went through his last reign of terror (Rudy T in 2005) and fear for the worst as Kobe’s career winds down. Drafting Bynum is the only thing he’s done right since joining the club and he’s riding that horse to the bitter end. That being said, up until last week the company line has always been, “We still feel we’re contenders!” or “In a lockout season you never know.” or “The Lakers only play for championships!”… It’s the basic Lakers hubris that the other 29 teams generally hate.

"I think we're going to be a tough out in the playoffs because of our defense," Buss says. "I understand how the fans feel and what they've been used to, because just like them I'm a fan. And I'm not happy when we lose.”

Tough out?

Do the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat or Oklahoma City Thunder refer to themselves as a “tough out?”

Believe me, this quote, Kobe’s rant on Gasol’s trade situation, the Lakers dropping a stinker yesterday in Phoenix and Mike Brown STILL experimenting with the rotations halfway through the season are not coincidental. The players and their fans are losing patience and the reality is starting to set in: this is an average team at best. Jim Buss never talks to the media but he felt the need to calm the masses with TJ Simers of all people. Unlike his father’s extremely rare but well-measured media sessions, a Jim Buss interview has the opposite effect and sends the fans into full blow panic mode. Safe to say he doesn't really instill much confidence in ANYBODY.

(BTW – I actually like Simers when he’s not spending 500 words moaning about his family. Seriously, I hope the LA Times doesn’t pay him when he’s mailing in articles about the “bagger” or his daughters.)

Read that quote again and understand this: the Lakers are closer to rebuilding than contending. The front office knows it, the players know it and the fans are slowly starting to realize it. Instead of a tinker here or there (like using the $8 million TPE for a quality guard down the stretch for one last hurrah), the Lakers will probably move Gasol for long-term pieces. It's not a matter of f but more a matter of when. I just hope the Lakers can get close to equal for one of the best bigs in the league.

Comments

My fellow Americans , ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country . My fellow citizens of the world ; ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man . http://www.overstockcn.net

The government's policy is now to reduce reliance on nuclear power as low as possible," Edano said, adding it should in future account for less than the third of national electricity it supplied before last year's Fukushima crisis.{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}{%}

Americans , ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country . My fellow citizens of the world ; ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man
&}&}&}&}&}&}&}&}

"The government's policy is now to reduce reliance on nuclear power as low as possible," Edano said, adding it should in future account for less than the third of national electricity it supplied before last year's Fukushima crisis.

The findings suggest that, like other animals, humans have an unconscious ability to gauge a potential adversary and decide whether they would win or lose a physical confrontation, the researchers said.

with the spirit compared to, it is too joyfully low. traveling companion in one time makes a long journey, should better have a gratifying traveling companion, next good does not have the traveling companion, http://www.oakleysunglassesuk.net/

http://www.toryburchjp.net/tory-burch-bag.html The findings suggest that, like other animals, humans have an unconscious ability to gauge a potential adversary and decide whether they would win or lose a physical confrontation, the researchers said.

"The government's policy is now to reduce reliance on nuclear power as low as possible," Edano said, adding it should in future account for less than the third of national electricity it supplied before last year's Fukushima crisis.

Excellent read, I merely passed this onto a colleague who was conducting a little research for this topic. And the man actually bought me lunch because I found it for him. Therefore i should thank you for the free lunch I managed to get. lyj

cheap oakley sunglasses are sold here for all age groups and come in a complete array of shades, models and styles.At our oakley outlet, you can buy discount oakley sunglasses with high quality, save up to 70%, and these are some colorful oakley sunglasses cheap styles you can choose. Now get top quality fashion oakley sunglasses discount that suit your mood.If you are searching for oakley sunglasses outlet online.

Fake oakley sunglasses is made of the most trendy style. Cheap oakley sunglasses carryies on the complete
explanatory notes that are comfort, fit, function, duarablity and practicality.
fake oakleys make every effort to give the wearers surprise and comfort and enjoyment. cheap oakleys must become your favourite in the future.With high-tech element and exquisite craft, Oakley has become people's perfect luxury eye wears. oakley sunglasses is
one of the largest brands in sunglasses and has a variety of products which appeal across the board to many kinds of people. Wearing a pair of replica oakley sunglasses will certainly show your unique style.